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Getting Here
Istanbul is a very accessible city and can be reached by various forms of transportation, including: air, road, boat or train.
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By Air
Istanbul now has two international airports, one on the European side and one on the Anatolian side. Visitors may be required to purchase a visa on arrival – please check the Visas section in the Essentials part of the guide for further information.
Istanbul Atatürk International Airport (airport code: IST) on the European side is the original and the larger of the two, situated about 15 miles (24km) from the city centre and to the south west. You can fly here with all major airlines from all over the world.
To travel from the airport to the city you have several options. Taxi may be the most appealing service as it's door to door and good value at about 30 YTL New Turkish Lira ( € 17 or AUD $28) to Taksim which takes around 30 minutes – between 0000 and 0600 the fare is double.
For a cheaper option use the express bus service , called Hava s. This does take slightly longer, about 40 minutes to Taksim but is only 9 YTL , which increases by 25% between the hours of 2400 and 0600.
The cheapest and fastest option by far is the Metro , which leaves from the airport terminal between the hours of 0600 and 0015. Tickets cost just 1.30 YTL |
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Sabiha G ö k ç en International Airport (airport code: SAW) is the newer airport situated on the Anatolian side about 28 miles (45km) east of the city centre. This airport handles mostly European budget airline and charter flights. As with Atatürk, there is a Hava s bus which takes you to Taksim and costs around 10 YTL , though these are apparently being phased out. The alternative, and cheaper, option is to use the city buses which will take you to Kadiköy ferry terminal , and from there you need to catch a ferry over to the European side.
If this all sounds like too much hard work, a taxi can take you to Taksim for about 75 YTL (daytime rates), or you may find a Shuttle Van , organised by local travel agencies, which is cheaper than a taxi.
By Train
Istanbul is well linked by rail to many European cities, including Thessaloniki (in Greece), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Bucharest (Romania) amongst others, as well as having a route into Syria and Iran in the east.
On the European side, trains arrive at Sirkeci Train Station , which is close to Sultanahment and many of the city's hotels. Whilst on the Anatolian side, trains arrive at Haydarpasa and if you want to reach the European side of Istanbul you can catch a ferry from right outside the station.
By Boat
Arriving on car ferry you dock at Sirkec i, close to Sultanahmet, or if you have come from or are going to the Marmara Islands you dock at Karak öy Port , just a short walk from Sultanahment.
By Bus
There are two bus terminals in Istanbul, one on the European side, Esenler Otogar , which is about 6 miles (10km) from the city centre and well served by minibuses, taxis and the metro.
On the Anatolian side is Harem Otogar . From here to the city centre, the best option is take a ferry or a Dolmu s as taxis are expensive on this route.
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